Country Overview

Along with Tutuila, the principal islands are Aunu'u and the Manu'a islands (a cluster of three islands, Ta'u, Ofu and Olosega, located about 65 miles east of Tutuila). Swains Island, a small island with a population of less than 25 and Rose Atoll, an uninhabited atoll about 120 miles east of Tutuila, make up the remainder of the territory. The population of the territory is approximately 65,000, of which about 97% live on the island of Tutuila.American Samoa is an unincorporated and unorganized territory of the United States, and administered by the U.S. Department of Interior. It consists principally of five volcanic islands and two coral atolls, for a total area of 76 square miles. It is located approximately 2,300 miles southwest of Hawaii. The largest and most populated island is Tutuila, on which are located the territory's historic capital (Pago Pago), and the seat of the legislature, judiciary, and the office of the Governor.

The per capita income of American Samoa is only $8000, by far the lowest in the United States. American Samoa faces significant environmental and public health challenges:

Almost 10% of residents do not have adequate indoor plumbing (piped water, a toilet or both)

Heavy metals and other toxics in the inner portion of Pago Pago Harbor make fish unsafe to eat.

American Samoa has a tropical climate moderated by southeast trade winds. There is minimal variation in seasonal temperature. American Samoa has a rainy season from November to April and a dry season from May to October. Typhoons are common from December to March, and it is predicted that these will increase as a result of climate change. Climate Change, specifically sea-level rise, directly impacts American Samoa by increasing flooding or drought conditions. There are limited natural freshwater resources in American Samoa and these may be adversely affected by a rise in the level of saltwater penetration under the island caused by sea level rise.

The Samoa archipelago, which includes the Independent State of Samoa, lies within a region that is annually threatened by hurricanes. Although American Samoa is not regularly affected by hurricanes, five powerful hurricanes have struck the Territory’s islands in the last forty years (1966, 1979, 1987, 1990 and 1991). Each have passed over at least one of American Samoa’s islands.

Several factors contribute to American Samoa’s high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. The Territory’s limited size reduces adaptation options. Communities have been established in available coastal zones – re-establishing these villages on the limited higher ground may not be feasible, especially when accounting for high population density and continued population growth. In addition, American Samoa is quite isolated and endures high transport costs for imported goods and services, upon which American Samoan communities may heavily rely in the future. The limited available natural resources, including potable water, result in supplies that are heavily stressed and degraded from historic overexploitation. Stressed ecosystems are less resilient to the kinds of environmental changes expected with the continued onset of climate change. Limited available funding and trained personnel also exacerbate the situation.

In light of these vulnerabilities, American Samoa has taken an active role in researching, analysing, and predicting risks for the Territory in terms of climate change. Climate change is recognized as a real threat in American Samoa. Adaptation and mitigation opportunities continue to be developed and implemented throughout the island. The Department of Commerce’s Coastal Zone Management Program and Coral Reef Advisory Group co-hosted a Climate Change Summit in February 2011 that led to numerous adaptation initiatives.

American Samoa developed a Territorial Climate Change Framework (TCCF) with the aim to capture projects, goals and strategies that increase its local capacity to develop and implement adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to impending adverse climate change impacts. The Framework acts as a guide for resource managers to steer future climate change-related management strategies for the Territory of American Samoa.

enhancing the research and monitoring of local coral bleaching impacts, the Territory will be able to better prepare for any impacts that will occur over the next century

Supporting research to reduce coral bleaching improve the enforcement of local environmental Executive Orders, laws and regulations including – prohibition of sand mining, prohibition of phosphate detergents

Improve the enforcement of local laws and regulations affecting non-climate impacts such as chemical pollution, sedimentation, nutrification, overfishing and more

Enhance the resilience of local communities to climate change, in order to improve stewardship for the local coral reefs

Implement education and outreach regarding the impacts of climate change upon health, in addition to improving education and outreach regarding general nutrition and the danger of non-communicable diseases

Enhance research being done locally to improve knowledge of the ways in which sea -level-rise will impact resources in American Samoa

Introducing new methods of water storage will also help the Territory prepare for increased impacts of climate change including the possibility of drought and saltwater intrusion into freshwater resources

Surveying and investing in existing village water catchments system infrastructures is another essential project.

Encouraging best practice techniques in agriculture throughout American Samoa will improve the ability of individuals and communities to adapt to climate change

Increasing and improving the testing of food and water systems is essential to improve overall resilience of communities throughout American Samoa.

Pursuing a reduction in local greenhouse gas emissions while also implementing buildings that are better able to withstand any impacts of climate change will allow communities throughout American Samoa to become more resilient to climate change threats.

By encouraging recycling and other methods of reducing land-based sources of pollution, pressure will be reduced on communities and coastal environments

Establish an organizational structure to appropriately adopt and implement the Territory’s Energy Master Plan and the Strategic Energy Assurance Plan for the Territory

Date updated: March 2016

<p>Governance American Samoa developed a Territorial Climate Change Framework (TCCF) with the aim to capture projects, goals and strategies that increase its local capacity to develop and implement adaptation strategies to reduce vulnerability to impending adverse climate change impacts. The Framework acts as a guide for resource managers to steer future climate change-related management strategies for the Territory of American Samoa. As a result, American Samoa established an associated Advisory Group to facilitate the implementation of the TCCF, mandated via the Executive Order-002 by Governor Togiola Tulafono on 17 June 2011. The Group, with guidance of the TCCF aims to: (1) Understand American Samoa’s critical climate changeadaptation needs; (2) Identify and develop strategies to address these needs; (3) Increase awareness of the adverse implications of climate change; and (4) Continue to build local capacity to actively address climate change and its impending impacts. The goal and objectives of the TCCF Advisory Group (AG) is to ensure that the Territory of American Samoa is properly prepared to endure environmental changes as brought about by global climate change. The Group developed a TCCF template that identifies and prioritizes specific procedures to reduce American Samoa’s contribution to climate change as well as the vulnerability to climate change impacts. The TCCF AG are made up of the following stakeholders (13): (1) The Department of Commerce; (2) The Department of Marine and Wildlife Resources; (3) The American Samoa Environmental Protection Agency; (4) The American Samoa Power Authority; (5) The Department of Health; (6) The Department of Public Works; (7) The Territorial Energy Office; (8) American Samoa Community College; (9) A member of the Senate; (10) A member of the House; (11) A village mayor representing the Eastern District; (12) A village mayor representing the Western District; and (13) A village mayor representing Manu’a. The AG established subcommittees to carry out thematic-based activities of the AG as follows: (1) Coral reefs and mangroves – developing project plans related to enhancing coral reef and mangrove conservation and preservation with respect to climate change impacts; (2) Human health – developing project plans associated with improving human health issues that may be impacted by the effects of climate change. Examples of such issues include, but are not limited to, increased spread of disease and increased health problems resulting from changes in weather patterns; (3) Forestry, agriculture, and water resources – addressing issues related to enhancing the quality and sustainability of forest and water resources, as well as promoting sustainable agricultural practices; (4) Education and outreach – developing project plans related to improving climate changeeducation and outreach opportunities throughout American Samoa communities. This may include school curriculum, specific events, and other recommendations; (5) Coastal hazards – developing project plans to enhance American Samoa’s resilience to climate change related hazards. Examples of hazards include sea level rise, increased coastal inundation, intensified storm systems, and others; (6) Development – developing project plans related to encouraging sustainable development throughout the territory. This will include addressing economic and business impacts expected from climate change; (7) Energy – addressing issues related to American Samoa’s energy system, developing projects that encouraged energy independence and sustainable energy use, and identifying options for alternative energy sources American Samoa’s Environment Protection Agency office is supporting the following initiatives as part of its duty to respond to the impacts of climate change on its people and environment: • Using “Green Building” technology for Government projects. • Using Hybrid vehicles within the Government fleet. • Exploring the use of tax and importation incentives to encourage private industry to be more eco-friendly and to bring “green” technologies to our Territory. • Using alternative energy sources such as Wind Farms and Solar Arrays. • Restricting the importation of older less efficient vehicles. • Educating the public about why it is important we fight climate change and how they can help. American Samoa’s Economic Plan 2014-2017, entitled Economic Development Implementation Plan for American Samoa Fiscal Years 2014 – 2017 (EDIPAS) does not explicitly address climate change nor is climate change, climate changeadaptation or climate changemitigation highlighted, including in any of its seven focus areas. These areas are Transportation Services and Infrastructure, New Business and Industry, Federal Government Constraints and Business Climate, Agriculture, Tourism, Fisheries, and Workforce Development. The EDIPAS, however, mentions climate change only once, and this is under the third of three actions identified for Swains Island Goal #1 under Sea Wall and Wharf Construction component of Workforce Development focus area. Goal #1 for Swains Islands is: improve wharf for Swains Island and ensure that it is on list for periodic maintenance. The third action is to: conduct study to evaluate the effects of climate change and sea level rise. The timeframe is from financial year 2015 to financial year 2019 with funding to be approved. For more detailed information, go to: [Portal team – provide link of the American Samoa TCCF] For more information on EDIPAS, go to: http://doc.as.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/FINAL_EDIPAS_NOV_2014-1.pdf Date updated: March 2016</p>